Monday 6th May 2019

Bank Holiday Monday (UK)

Traditional day when rain falls in stair rods, whatever they are.

Only, not a bad day here in East Kent.

And of course, there are orchids to seek out and snap.

The year rolls on, never stopping. The Early Purples we were searching for just a coule of weeks ago, are now fading fast. Those on downlands are already going brown and gone to seed. Woodland ones are looking past their best. Meanwhile, the Early Spiders at Samphire are also past their best. Snowdrops are but a memory, and woodlands are growing their green canopies

Though, it is still cool.

And on the woodland floors, the blue carpets of bluebells have gone to seed and are turning green once again.

We were out at half eight. I was tempted to stay and follow the progress of the open top bus parade in Norwich, as City's triumphant players went on a grand tour of the inner ring road. Some 40,000 people turned out to cheer them on. We nearly went.

But I will save my money and become a member next season.

Oh yes.

We went to Barham, looking for orchids.

Of course.

I went up the bridleway to check on the Lesser Butterflies. I saw two rosettes, and I am not sure we will see spikes this year. We shall see.

Over the road, the Lady are beginning to open, but the White Lady has a hint of pink. Oh well, close enough I think.

What is clear, is how as the days tumble by, the canopy thickens and the light reaching the woodland floor is less and less, so spotting the orchids becomes harder.

Herb Paris is showing well, and spreading too. I take shots.

Back to the car and up the hill to check on the Birdsnest, which are not showing yet, and just maybe are now lost from the site due to dry conditions, but we shall see. But the White Helleborines are sprouting, but two weeks from flowering.

We decide to go home, and take the country lanes, so avoiding the boy racers attending the drifting event (!) at Lydden Hill.

We get home in time for lunch, we have just fruit and yoghurt, then there is football to watch, listen to, blogs to write and photos to edit.

And so the afternoon passes. We do go out to do some edging on the once new beds, making them look really smart.

But wielding a hammer knacks my back, so I have to beat a retreat back indoors.

We have dinner, more caprese and garlic bread, followed by a close game of uckers, which I just win.

And that is the end of your weekend, and even though it was eight in the evening, there was still light in the sky to the west.

Summer's nearly here.